79 starter troubles
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 386
Likes: 0
From: EATON OH
79 starter troubles
i'm trying to understand this problem with my starter on stock 79 350. i've heard it call heat sink. drive it for a while so that it heats up then shut it down it won't crank over. it won't make a sound. let it cool for 20 minutes or so it might crank over.
2 years ago i put a new/rebuilt starter on, problem seemed to go away. now its back. i've put on one of those wrap around heat shield, but it's still won't crank over. is it in the wiring harness down to the starter? is a starter manufactured for a corvette different from say a monte carlo? do i put new starter on with heat shield wrap? [img]C:\davey\photos\aug_20.jpg[/img]
2 years ago i put a new/rebuilt starter on, problem seemed to go away. now its back. i've put on one of those wrap around heat shield, but it's still won't crank over. is it in the wiring harness down to the starter? is a starter manufactured for a corvette different from say a monte carlo? do i put new starter on with heat shield wrap? [img]C:\davey\photos\aug_20.jpg[/img]
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 7,456
Likes: 2
From: Coming home from Luckenbach Texas
Re: 79 starter troubles (davs79)
Don't worry, many of us suffer from this -- myself included! I'm going to try the blanket next.
Another alternative is to install a geared mini-starter. About 150 bucks from Summit.
Another alternative is to install a geared mini-starter. About 150 bucks from Summit.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 6,362
Likes: 7
From: Brazos TX
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Cruise-In V Veteran
Re: 79 starter troubles (davs79)
Are you running tubular headers? I would check the connections at the starter and the battery for corrosion. You may want to replace the positive side cable. Do you have a good chassis to engine ground wire? All of this can affect how the starter cranks when hot. Either way, it's mainly the solenoid that is the problem, you could just change that.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 19,304
Likes: 85
From: San Diego CA
Re: 79 starter troubles (page62)
I installed a McCleod hi-torque mini starter and never had a starting problem since. Rebuilt starters often don't last. Get a high-quality mini and that should solve your problem.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 951
Likes: 0
Re: 79 starter troubles (davs79)
If your car is indeed suffering from heat soak, the problem is not the starter but the solonoid. Yes a high a high torque starter will solve the problem but so will a new spring in the solonoid. It has been over eigh years since I replaced he spring in my solonoid with a ac delco 1958679 group 2.108 spring. You can buy the spring from ac delco parts for a few dollars. Now I am running headers and I still don't have a problem with heat soak. :chevy
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 2,581
Likes: 14
From: Tolar Texas
Re: 79 starter troubles (davs79)
There are a lot of potential contributing factors and corrections for what is commonly known as "Heat Soak".
I wonder just how degraded the wiring gets in our old cars?
My OE starter was suffered from heat soak symptoms but I didn't bother determining the exact cause as it was OLD. I saw a post about using a used starter from late model GM trucks. I tried one and so far, so good. Saved lots of weight and money and it spins the engine FAST.
So, now you've heard my broken record recomendation for a cheap starter alternative. . . :)
GM mini starter $35. Works GREAT! http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=133879
snaketr - "Use the G.M. ministarter. I put them on everything I have. You can get them from a Junk yard cheap." http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=119602
I wonder just how degraded the wiring gets in our old cars?
My OE starter was suffered from heat soak symptoms but I didn't bother determining the exact cause as it was OLD. I saw a post about using a used starter from late model GM trucks. I tried one and so far, so good. Saved lots of weight and money and it spins the engine FAST.
So, now you've heard my broken record recomendation for a cheap starter alternative. . . :)
GM mini starter $35. Works GREAT! http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=133879
snaketr - "Use the G.M. ministarter. I put them on everything I have. You can get them from a Junk yard cheap." http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=119602
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Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 26,545
Likes: 46
From: Huntersville NC
Re: 79 starter troubles (page62)
Is this item available from a Chevy dealer, or would my local auto parts store carry it?
1958679
All
SPRING
1
$1.61
$1.13
$0.80
$0.00
You should be able to order it from you Chevy dealer. My local dealer can usually get most anything next day, or at most a couple of days. They charge me GM list price, which is the $1.61 listed above! If your dealer quotes you a higher price, then... well, you know... :) MJ
and BTW, I just had the exact same thing happen to me.... twice! Once on a gas stop coming home from Carlisle. A 5 minute wait and it started. And today, at the carwash. The guy behind me helped push it into the booth, and after 10 minutes of washing starter worked again. I will try the $1.61 spring before I try the $161 starter!
[Modified by MNJack, 11:33 PM 9/3/2002]
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 386
Likes: 0
From: EATON OH
Re: 79 starter troubles (MNJack)
:chevy
i've gotten a lotta help here and i thank you all!
i'm running stock exhaust pipes with a stock 400 tranny. what type/size fly wheel would this be if i go to the mini starter?
but i gotta try the spring tip before i go for another new starter.
i've gotten a lotta help here and i thank you all!
i'm running stock exhaust pipes with a stock 400 tranny. what type/size fly wheel would this be if i go to the mini starter?
but i gotta try the spring tip before i go for another new starter.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 7,456
Likes: 2
From: Coming home from Luckenbach Texas
Re: 79 starter troubles (MNJack)
I bought that spring today (and a new solenoid -- old one got messed up during removal). It's much shorter than the original one... :smash:
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 386
Likes: 0
From: EATON OH
Re: 79 starter troubles (page62)
give me parts numbers for spring and solonoid! i called my local chevy dealer and he acted like he didn't have a clue as to what i was talking about! any more additional info is welcomed! :chevy
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 7,456
Likes: 2
From: Coming home from Luckenbach Texas
Re: 79 starter troubles (davs79)
Buy the solenoid from a auto parts store that carries AC Delco (much cheaper). Part number D981.
Get the spring at the Chevy dealer. Part number 1958679. And no, they don't know nothing...it's kinda obscure.
Get the spring at the Chevy dealer. Part number 1958679. And no, they don't know nothing...it's kinda obscure.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 386
Likes: 0
From: EATON OH
Re: 79 starter troubles (page62)
ordered solenoid and spring from dealer, should be in today! :chevy
have you installed yours yet? if so is it to early to tell if it was a fix or not? keep me posted!
:cheers:
have you installed yours yet? if so is it to early to tell if it was a fix or not? keep me posted!
:cheers:
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 13,858
Likes: 0
From: A 12/8 man in a 4/4 world
Re: 79 starter troubles (davs79)
Save your Cash. Dont get the thermal starter blanket. It helps but not much considering the $30 price tag.
was thinking of getting the geared starter. but may try the selenoid spring next.
one advantage of a 4-speed. if it is hot enough not to start.... its hot enought to push start!
[Modified by Got79Fever, 8:52 PM 9/6/2002]
was thinking of getting the geared starter. but may try the selenoid spring next.
one advantage of a 4-speed. if it is hot enough not to start.... its hot enought to push start!
[Modified by Got79Fever, 8:52 PM 9/6/2002]